You will not find Dec. 15 delineated on any official list of NBA key dates as the de facto start of trade season.

But in a league annually reshaped by free agency, it effectively stands as the beginning of open season on the personnel market, for one particular reason: players signed in the offseason cannot be traded until Dec. 15, at the earliest.

What the rule does is allow players to settle in if there is a change of address and afford teams the opportunity to test drive their new contracts before any rash decisions.

For all the dealing Pat Riley has done over his two-plus decades with the Heat, and even dating to the inception of the franchise 30 years ago, the Heat have never made a trade in December. Ever.

Had there been such impulsiveness a year ago amid the 11-30 start, there likely would not have been the 30-11 revival over the second half of the schedule.

There is at least one difference this time around, though.

Unlike last season, when the Heat held their own first-round pick and knew they could bolster, if needed, through that process, the Heat's 2018 first-round pick goes to the Phoenix Suns unless it is among the first seven selections (in which case their 2019 first-round pick goes unprotected to the Suns, in addition to the 2021 unprotected first-rounder for the 2015 acquisition of Goran Dragic).

In addition, there are a few arcane rules in play, such as not being allowed to trade Josh Richardson until after the season because of his extension and only being able to trade Udonis Haslem with his permission.

What is likely to matter more than Dec. 15 is the 3 p.m. Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline. Still, the door at least is about to crack open in less than two weeks.

So where does the Heat roster stand on what could be the eve of trade season? Here's where:

Hassan Whiteside: Already trade eligible, earning $23.8 million this season, with two additional seasons on his contract (including a player option for 2019-20).

Goran Dragic: Already trade eligible, earning $17 million this season, with two additional seasons on his contract (including a player option for 2019-20).

James Johnson: Becomes trade eligible on Dec. 15, earning $14 million this season, with three additional seasons on his contract (including a player option for 2020-21).

Dion Waiters: Becomes trade eligible on Dec. 15, earning $11 million this season, with three additional seasons on his contract.

Kelly Olynyk: Becomes trade eligible on Dec. 15, earning $10.6 million this season, with three additional seasons on his contract (including a player option for 2020-21).

Wayne Ellington: Already trade eligible, earning $6.3 million this season, on final season of contract.

Tyler Johnson: Already trade eligible, earning $5.9 million this season, and then two additional seasons at $19.2 million on his contract (including a player option for 2019-20).

Justise Winslow: Already trade eligible, earning $2.7 million this season, with an additional season at $3.4 million on his contract, with the Heat facing an extension deadline before next season.

Bam Adebayo: Already trade eligible, earning $2.5 million this season, with another guaranteed season on his contract and under team rookie-scale control through at least 2020-21.

Udonis Haslem: Cannot be traded without his approval, earning $1.5 million on one-year contract.

Josh Richardson: Cannot be traded until end of season, earning $1.5 million this season, with four-year extension to begin next season (including a player option for 2021-22).

Jordan Mickey: Already trade eligible, earning $1.5 million this season, with team option for $1.6 million next season.

Okaro White: Already trade eligible, earning $1.3 million this season, on final year of contract.

A.J. Hammons: Already trade eligible, earning $1.3 million this season, with additional guaranteed season of $1.5 million on his contract.

Rodney McGruder: Already trade eligible, earning $1.3 million this season, with additional non-guaranteed season at $1.5 million on his contract.

Derrick Walton Jr.: Already trade eligible, on two-way contract.

Matt Williams Jr.: Already trade eligible, on two-way contract.

iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman

IN THE LANE

THE LONG VIEW: Even with the Heat's uneven play this season, Minnesota Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau paused to reflect on how Heat President Pat Riley has continually reinvented his rosters. "He's an incredible person," Thibodeau told Minneapolis' Star-Tribune in the wake of the Heat's recent victory over the 'Wolves. "I don't know how many times he remade the Heat, but to sustain it over such a long period of time is impressive. He built the Knicks, took them over when they were rock bottom and made them great. And, of course, what he did with the Lakers. . . . I really have a lot of respect for the way they do things."

ECLECTIC WARDROBE: So how does one pack for a trip that includes a stop in Detroit after Sunday's visit to AmericanAirlines Arena? Judiciously. "Swimsuit and winter coat, side by side," Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said, "You don't often do that."

HIS STORY: Already with a history with David Fizdale from their time together with the Heat, Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mario Chalmers downplayed tensions with Grizzlies center Marc Gasolas the reason for Fizdale's dismissal as Memphis coach. "Me being the new guy, I heard rumblings," Chalmers told the Commercial Appeal. "But I never saw anything with my own eyes. I never really bought into that." In many ways, Fizdale served as a conciliator with the Heat in his then-role as an Erik Spoelstraassistant.

COLE STORY: Speaking of former Heat point guards, yes, that is Norris Cole now playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli League, a season after former Heat center Amar'e Stoudemire took his game to Israel. Cole recently described the experience to Tendbasket.net. "The game is slower than in the NBA, more of a halfcourt dominant league," he said. As for the lifestyle, there are elements similar to his South Florida tenure. "Life in Tel Aviv is nice," he said. "You got the beach, you got great food, fresh seafood, out of the Mediterranean. Very similar to Florida, so I enjoy it." Only 29, Cole spent the end of last season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, after starting 2016-17 in China. He was dealt by the Heat to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Feb. 2015 trade that delivered Goran Dragic from the Phoenix Suns. Cole is averaging 11 points and 4.1 assists in Israel, shooting .371 from the field.

THE UNICORN/LIZARD: Kristaps Porzingis apparently takes great pleasure representing the animal kingdom, both real and mythical. Already known as the Unicorn for his unlikely skill set for a 7-foot-3 specimen, the New York Knicks forward was quick to allay any fears after his seemingly traumatic ankle sprain Wednesday against the Heat. "They call me the lizard because I recover so quickly from things," the Latvian big man said. "So hopefully it's nothing too big and I'm going to get treatment, and hopefully the lizard will be ready for Sunday." Or maybe he simply is what he is. "He's a strong unicorn," teammate Enes Kanter said.

NUMBER

200. Career game with the Heat last Sunday for Hassan Whiteside, with more rebounds, blocked shots and double-doubles than any player in their first 200 games with the franchise.